WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 -- The Center for Biological Diversity issued the following news release: As a result of a successful lawsuit by several environmental and animal organizations, a federal judge today ordered federal fishery managers to issue a new rule for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales no later than May 31, 2021. The Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife and the Humane Society of the United States sued the federal government   more

PORTLAND, Maine, Aug. 22 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on Aug. 20: Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler visited multiple Brownfields sites, which are driving significant investment and revitalization efforts to Portland's waterfront. While in the Pine Tree State, Administrator Wheeler met with local lobsterman and finalized amendments to the national marine diesel engine program to provide much needed regulator  more

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine, Aug. 22 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release on Aug. 20: Today, at a press conference with the Maine Lobstermen's Association, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler finalized amendments to the national marine diesel engine program to address the lack of available certified Tier 4 marine diesel engines for use in certain high-speed commercial vessels. This final rule provides much needed regulatory relief  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 18 -- The Maine Democratic Party issued the following news release: New reporting from the Portland Press Herald reveals that despite a trade deal signed earlier this year, China has purchased less U.S. lobster in 2020 than in 2019, when Donald Trump's trade war was in "full swing." After Donald Trump imposed tariffs on a wide range of Chinese products, China retaliated with a levy on American lobster. Maine lobster exports "cratered" as a result. After losing the trade wa  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Aug. 22 -- President Trump issued the following remarks on Aug. 21 at the 2020 Council for National Policy Meeting: THE PRESIDENT: Wow. (Applause.) AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA! THE PRESIDENT: You're really fantastic, and I want to thank you very much. You really are. Thank you very much and thank you, Bill. And thank you to the Council for National Policy. My brother, Robert, would have wanted me to be here today. Thank you very much. (Applause.) Together, we're committed t  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: After working with Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler finalized amendments to the national marine diesel engine program to address the lack of available certified Tier 4 marine diesel engines for use in certain high-speed commercial vessels. This final rule provides much needed relief to boat builders and manufacturers of lightw  more

PORTLAND, Maine, Aug. 21 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following news release on Aug. 20: Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced the Maine Aquaculture Association in Hallowell has received a grant of $64,885 from USDA Rural Development. The grant will assist the Association in providing Maine aquaculture producers whose businesses have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic with direct assistance. "Aquaculture producers harvest fish and shellfish, species important to the  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following news release: With the 60-day deadline fast approaching, today Maine's Congressional Delegation wrote to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to immediately act on President Trump's June 24th memorandum to provide relief funds to the lobster industry. President Trump's memo stated "the Secretary of Agriculture shall, within 60 days of the date of this memorandum, consider taking appropri  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release on Aug. 21: U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that the United States and the European Union have reached an agreement to eliminate tariffs on live and frozen American lobster, which will help to substantially boost sales of Maine lobster to European markets. The White House called Senator Collins this morning to notify her of this positive development, for which she had strongly advocated. Several  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release on Aug. 19: With the 60-day deadline fast approaching, today Maine's Congressional Delegation wrote to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to immediately act on President Trump's June 24th memorandum to provide relief funds to the lobster industry. President Trump's memo stated "the Secretary of Agriculture shall, within 60 days of the date of this memorandum, consider tak  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following news release on Aug. 21: Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) applauded a trade agreement that will eliminate the European Union's (EU) tariffs on American lobster. The agreement comes after years of retaliatory tariffs in both the EU and China have imposed severe economic challenges for Maine's lobster industry, and follows extensive pressure f  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release on Aug. 21: With the 60-day deadline fast approaching, today Maine's Congressional Delegation wrote to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to immediately act on President Trump's June 24th memorandum to provide relief funds to the lobster industry. President Trump's memo stated "the Secretary of Agriculture shall, within 60 days of the date of this memorandum, consider t  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued the following news release on Aug. 21: United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and European Union Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan today announced agreement on a package of tariff reductions that will increase market access for hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. and EU exports. These tariff reductions are the first U.S.-EU negotiated reductions in duties in more than two decades. Under the agreement, the E  more